The Social Determinants of Child Care Arrangements among Working Families in the United States: 1984-2018

• In Event: 40201 - Diverse Perspectives on Care Work

Abstract

Child care arrangements have become an increasingly important component of family well-being and the social organization of care in the United States. With increases in families with two working parents, changes in family structure, and increased desire to provide children with early education opportunities, a growing proportion of children in the U.S. spend at least part of their week in non-parental child care. This study uses data from the 1984-2018 Survey of Income and Program Participation to describe changes in the distribution and social patterning of formal and informal child care arrangements among U.S. working families over three decades. Results show that, while child care arrangements have remained relatively stable over time, there are striking declines in recent use of formal center-based child care. Furthermore, temporal changes in the use of formal and informal childcare differ across social groups. Findings have implications for economic and gender inequality and family well-being.

Authors

• Zohra Ansari-Thomas, Franklin and Marshall College

• Pilar Gonalons-Pons, University of Pennsylvania

• Melissa Hodges, Villanova University